“The Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, ‘Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh..? Come down, O king,… and [we will] surrender him into [your] hand…’ Saul said,.. ‘If he is in the land, I will search him out…’
“Now David and his men were… in the Arabah… And Saul and his men went to seek him. And David was told, so he went down to the rock in the wilderness of Maon. And Saul… pursued David… Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side… David was hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them, a messenger came to Saul, saying, ‘Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid against the land.’ So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape.” 1 Samuel 23:19-20,23-28
“To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, ‘Is not David hiding among us?’
“O God, save me by your name,
and vindicate me by your might.
O God, hear my prayer;
give ear to the words of my mouth.
For strangers have risen against me;
ruthless men seek my life;
they do not set God before themselves.
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life.
He will return the evil to my enemies;
in your faithfulness put an end to them.
With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you;
I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.
For he has delivered me from every trouble,
and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.” Psalm 54
“For you, O God, have tested us;
you have tried us as silver is tried.
You brought us into the net;
you laid a crushing burden on our backs;
you let men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.
I will come into your house with burnt offerings.” Psalm 66:10-13
David was hunted by many an enemy, from jealous Saul to cruel Doeg the Edomite, to Philistine armies to turmoil and guilt within. While his tactical skill was great, his hope and trust in every pursuit was his Lord. Even as he battled, he sang. God’s deliverances, physical and mental, prompted sacrifices from this grateful servant. (1 Samuel 21:1-7,10-12; 22:21-22; 24:1-15; Psalm 56; 57)
Every triumph won and imparted by the Lord is an opportunity for offering in kind. While thankfulness might prompt verbal praise, or financial return of blessing, every sincere sacrifice pleases Him. Acknowledging that Jesus Christ surrendered His very will to set us free enables us to surrender fully, love selflessly, and give generously. (Luke 22:42)
What offering has the Lord’s name and goodness prompted today? What ingrained resentment, anger, worry, dishonoring rebellion, selfish sin, thirst for revenge, or need to control will we sacrifice? How willing are we to offer up lingering disappointments, the residue of stubborn unwillingness to surrender personal wants? How readily do we forgive, as we’ve been forgiven? Sincere gratitude begets costly sacrifice. (Ephesians 4:32; 5:2)
Lord, may I daily consider Your gracious deeds, and sacrifice accordingly.
